Carlos Dunlap talks up youth movement for Bengals pass rushers

Though he might be entering the final year of his deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, Carlos Dunlap doesn’t shy away from saluting the young talent around him.

Dunlap could watch as strong seasons from guys like Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis have an impact on his negotiations with the team, especially with the front office also wanting to get a deal done with Geno Atkins.

Or he could look at the wealth of young pass rushers as a positive for the team as a whole — which is exactly what he’s doing, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:

“And you’ve got Geno Atkins,” Dunlap said. “Who are you going to choose (to block)? You can’t. I’m saying the emergence of the youth and the rotation that we’ve got is going be a benefit to everyone.”

Not only does Willis look like a capable rusher who will be on the field more in 2018, coaches have said they will use Lawson in more versatile ways. Don’t forget about Michael Johnson, who surprised last year with consistent pressure from the inside.

Dunlap knows as well as anyone the Bengals pass rush and defense excels as a whole if the rotation is deep. His job as a starter isn’t going anywhere for at least another year, but he sees the front office has once again accumulated the necessary depth.

Regardless of the outcome on his contract situation, Dunlap seems amped for what could be the deepest pass rush the Bengals have had in years.